Standing outside the Stinsons' home on Route 20, the sisters were barefoot and wet. The 7 year old was shaking. The Stinsons fed them and drove them back to their home near Heuvelton.

Some are calling the Stinsons heroes, but they told 7 News reporter Chris Horvatits they took a little bit of heat, including from the St. Lawrence County Sheriff's department, for their decision to take the girls directly to their home instead of calling police.

"if they were standing there themselves and saw it, they would understand. If that was their children, they would of wanted their kids to be home," Jeff Stinson said.

"They wanted to get out of Richville, this area and get back to 812.," Pam Stinson added.

And when the girls were back at their home?

"The girls marched straight file right into the front porch of the house very quickly. It was a very unusual atmosphere," Jeff recalled.

The Stinsons have been told the girls' family wants to help them rebuild their garage, destroyed by fire last month.